10 Things You Should Never Buy Online

To be a responsible shopper, buying from a reputable pet dealer is essential. Not all online sources are what they claim to be, and that's especially true in the world of pets. GYRO PHOTOGRAPHY/amanaimagesRF/Getty Images

Getting a pet can be a life-changing decision, and buying one can be easy to do online. If you've spent hours looking at pictures of adorable animals who need homes, it can be tempting to go ahead and grab one. It sounds a little crazy, but it is possible to have a dog or cat delivered to your home.

That's really not the best idea, though, as you need to be very careful about the seller. There are plenty of trustworthy rescue groups who will transport a needy pet to another state if they can't find a local adopter. We'd say in that kind of situation, go ahead and buy online. And there are many responsible breeders online, but unfortunately scammers and not-so-responsible breeders abound. It's imperative that you have a face-to-face meeting with the breeder and visit the facility to make sure you're not buying from a puppy mill or another disreputable place. If that's not allowed, stop the process right there (and report them to the Better Business Bureau). Online or not, never buy from an unethical animal dealer.

We can't imagine buying a pet without cuddling it first and hearing about its personality from a real, live person. (OK, we'll make an exception for fish.)